Complaints Policy

ABOUT THIS POLICY

We are committed to conducting our business with honesty and integrity and we expect all staff to maintain high standards. Any suspected wrongdoing should be reported as soon as possible.

This policy covers all young people who use our services.

HOW TO RAISE A CONCERN

We hope that in the majority of cases you feel able to raise any concerns regarding our staff or other young people on our course or using our services with one of our staff members. However, where you prefer not to raise it with our staff, we ask that you raise it with our Team Leader, Lisa Crozier. She will arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss your concern(s). You may bring a companion with you to support you during the meeting. Your companion must respect the confidentiality of your disclosure and any subsequent investigation.

If you feel that your concern should be raised at a higher level, we recommend you contact our Vice Chairman – Peter Bailey Peterbailey@baileyandco.org.uk. You can be assured they will keep your approach confidential, and they will arrange a meeting with you and your companion.

CONFIDENTIALITY

We hope that you feel able to voice concerns openly under this policy. Completely anonymous disclosures are difficult to investigate. If you want to raise your concern confidentially, we will make every effort to keep your identity secret and only reveal it where necessary to those involved in investigating your concern.

EXTERNAL DISCLOSURES

The aim of this policy is to provide an internal mechanism for reporting, investigating, and remedying any wrongdoing within Wealden Works. We are confident you should not find it necessary to alert anyone externally.

The law recognises that in some circumstances it may be appropriate for you to report your concerns to an external body such as a regulator. We strongly encourage you to seek advice before reporting a concern to anyone external.

PROTECTION AND SUPPORT FOR COMPLAINTS

We aim to encourage openness and will support those who raise genuine concerns under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken.

You must not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of raising a genuine concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform Peter Bailey the vice chairman Peterbailey@baileyandco.org.uk.

Reviewed July 2024